AGP Executive Report

Property Taxes & Renters: Florida’s Amendment 3 property tax plan is drawing fresh opposition as groups warn the homestead exemption would help homeowners while shifting the burden to renters; a judge has ordered the ballot language rewritten. Water Quality: A new state-based report says only 30% of assessed Florida waterbodies meet quality standards, with 52% failing—citing lax policy and weak enforcement. Public Health (Vibrio): Florida reported a second death this year from flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus linked to coastal waters and raw shellfish exposure. Safety & Crime: Deputies say a man hid in a JetBlue plane bathroom at Fort Lauderdale during a maintenance inspection; separately, police charged two men after a machete-and-hatchet fight outside a Publix. Environment & Wildlife: Volusia deputies helped rescue about 75 baby sea turtles that were heading inland instead of to the ocean. Politics: Byron Donalds leads in the Florida GOP gubernatorial primary, with polling pointing to an independent-style fight. Hurricane Prep: A West Palm Beach company is selling paid evacuation flights out of hurricane zones, aiming to beat road and airport gridlock.

Public Safety: Four children were rescued from a flea-ridden “house of horrors” in Florahome, and four adults were charged after investigators found severe neglect conditions, including urine-soaked areas and a baby with life-threatening symptoms. Courts & Policy: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s ban on minors attending drag shows, calling it a valid regulation to protect children. Health & Environment: Residents near a historically Black community southeast of Tampa are warning that a proposed expansion of a radioactive phosphogypsum waste stack could put more than 11,000 people at risk. Education: The St. Johns River Water Management District is offering up to $60,000 for water science grants for schools, while Florida’s education department moves to tighten enrollment rules for career training programs. Sports: North Carolina rallied to beat Florida 5-2 at the Little League Softball World Series, sending Southeast into an elimination game. Wildlife: Florida Wildlife Hospital released two rehabilitated otters after months of care. Politics: With the governor’s primary nearing, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he won’t endorse yet, but praised former House Speaker Paul Renner. Other Florida oddities: A steakhouse in Hollywood is hosting monthly nude dining nights, and an ex-con allegedly climbed onto a JetBlue plane and fell asleep onboard.

South Florida Politics: Voters in new Congressional District 22 say affordability, jobs, and agriculture are top priorities as the sprawling seat stretches from Marco Island through Hendry County to Broward and Palm Beach. Sports Medicine: Central Florida doctors warn fall athletes to ramp up slowly to avoid overuse injuries as practices begin. Education: Gov. DeSantis kicked off the school year in Lehigh Acres, touting Florida’s education rankings and school choice. College Sports Lawsuit: Former Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos sues the NCAA seeking portal access after a Colorado judge’s eligibility ruling. Immigration: Florida Catholic bishops urged Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Ashley Moody to back a bill extending Haitian TPS through 2029. Public Health: Florida reported a second Vibrio vulnificus death and additional cases, urging caution with raw oysters and brackish water. Elections: A new poll shows Byron Donalds leading in Florida’s GOP governor primary. Environment: The 2026 Florida Python Challenge removed 280 Burmese pythons; Tom Rahill won $10,000 by removing 96. Back-to-School Tax: Florida’s sales tax holiday runs through Aug. 20.

Aerospace Jobs: Northrop Grumman opened a new 300,000-square-foot engineering facility in Melbourne, adding space for 1,200 engineers and 17 secure labs and underscoring Florida’s growing defense work. Health Rankings: UF Health Shands and UF Health Jacksonville landed among the state’s top hospitals in the latest U.S. News rankings, with Shands at No. 3 in Florida. Property-Tax Fight: A judge ordered Florida’s Amendment 3 ballot language rewritten, and the No On Three campaign is expanding opposition from sheriffs, firefighters, and hospitals warning of budget strain. Pandemic Probe: Florida AG James Uthmeier joined other states in subpoenaing Dr. Anthony Fauci over alleged self-dealing tied to COVID guidance and awards. Courts on Drag Shows: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s law restricting children from attending sexualized live performances. Public Safety: A Flagler County man was arrested for stalking a dating-app victim and stealing a teddy bear holding her child’s ashes; in Miami-Dade, a lobster-diving dispute led to an attempted murder charge after police say a diver’s air was cut off.

Courts & Culture: A federal appeals court ruled Florida’s ban on children attending sexualized drag shows is constitutional, clearing the way for enforcement and dealing a fresh win to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Public Safety: Florida police arrested a suspect in the killings of Citadel cadet Dustin Rose and his childhood friend Samson Campbell, charging him with two counts of second-degree murder. Health Watch: The CDC says the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris has been confirmed in 23 states this year; Florida has reported cases in the past but none documented as of Aug. 5. Law & Order: Florida AG James Uthmeier proposed making poaching near homes or people a felony, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Politics: Equality Florida named Brandon Wolf back to a leadership role and installed Joe Saunders as executive director of Equality Florida Action PAC ahead of the 2026 cycle. Local Life: A Boynton Beach toddler died after her head became trapped in a kitchen playset bought on Facebook Marketplace.

Mental Health & Public Safety: Miami-Dade deputies responded to reports that celebrity blogger Perez Hilton livestreamed self-harm on TikTok, de-escalated at his home, and safely transported him to a local hospital for medical attention. Local Economy & Tourism: An editorial highlights Florida’s tourism pull, citing record visitor numbers and the jobs tied to travel. Health Care Innovation: Tampa General announced a drone program to deliver whole blood to trauma scenes in Hillsborough County in under 3 minutes, aiming to improve survival during the “golden hour.” Courts & Civil Rights: A federal appeals court upheld Florida’s ban on children attending sexualized drag shows, clearing the way for the state’s Protection of Children Act. Environment & Tourism: Scientists warn sargassum is smothering Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with Florida likely to see more seaweed as the bloom continues. Community & Crime: A Florida family got help after a missing motorcycle engine was flagged at Orlando International Airport and later located for shipment. Sports: Florida football opened preseason camp with a scrimmage, with QB Ashton Daniels praised and the team focused on turning last season around.

Property Tax Fight: A Leon County judge ordered Florida to rewrite major parts of the Amendment 3 ballot title and summary, calling the current wording “political slogan” and misleading voters about what the measure would do. Courts & LGBTQ Rights: The 11th Circuit upheld Florida’s Protection of Children Act restricting minors from “sexually explicit” drag shows, lifting a block on enforcement and sending the case back. Public Safety Tech: Florida is rolling out a school safety pilot that places drones inside school buildings in Leon, Volusia and Broward counties as students head back. Health Watch: Palm Beach County issued a dengue advisory after confirming locally acquired cases, urging residents to cut standing water and protect against mosquito bites. Local Crime: Federal prosecutors say a former Florida mail carrier burned nearly 500 letters instead of delivering them, and she pleaded guilty. Business & Growth: Walmart is expanding drone delivery with Wing in parts of Central Florida, and Nu Stadium is adding Miami Slice and La Birra Bar to matchday food options.

Luxury Real Estate: Sunny Isles’ Porsche Design Tower shows how “branded residences” are turning parking and living into a high-end brand experience, with cars lifted to private sky garages. Public Safety: South Florida cleanup continues after storms brought flooding and downed trees, while a lightning strike in Miami-Dade sparked a gazebo fire that spared the home. Law & Courts: Florida’s appeals court upheld a $103M product-liability verdict against Ford after a modified Mustang exploded, and a judge tossed a pet pharmacy tracking class action over standing. Environment & Wildlife: A lawsuit says federal officials missed a deadline to protect queen conch habitat in the Keys, and FWC critics are alleging the agency accessed driving records to discourage environmental activism. Health: Florida reported 97 new cyclosporiasis cases in a week, and officials flagged a Salmonella recall of a Walmart pistachio nut butter lot. Education & Immigration: Florida is moving to bar undocumented students from postsecondary career and technical programs. Space & Tech: SpaceX short-selling bets hit record highs as earnings and lockup expirations approach. Transportation: A small plane made an emergency landing on I-10 in Pensacola after engine trouble, narrowly avoiding traffic.

Election Watch: Early voting is underway in Hendry County, with voters casting ballots at two locations (Clewiston and LaBelle) through Aug. 15, as the Florida primary nears in just over two weeks. Sports & College Life: Florida A&M is running an “old school” preseason camp by housing players in a dorm during training, aiming to build chemistry before the fall semester. Legal & Public Safety: A federal judge clarified college eligibility limits for athletes who signed pro contracts, and Florida’s law also allows backyard burial on private property with key limits—especially around crime-related coverups and local rules. Health & Consumer Alerts: DOJ says a Jacksonville-based firm will pay $14.1 million over alleged bogus Medicare Advantage diagnoses; Publix recalled frozen GreenWise blueberries and mixed berries over possible E. coli contamination; Florida confirmed a locally transmitted dengue case in Palm Beach County. Florida Keys & Local Economy: A West Palm Beach man was arrested in the Keys after a crash involving an off-duty deputy’s motorcycle, and the iconic Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar is listed for $18 million.

STEM Education: Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic signed an “Eagle to Phoenix” articulation deal letting AA students transfer into 10 targeted Florida Poly STEM bachelor programs, expanding a 2019 pathway. Courts & Public Safety: A Marion County judge sentenced Selina Harvey to 20 years after a drunk-driving crash that killed one man and injured three others; separately, a Florida man was indicted for first-degree murder after prosecutors say he used a leaf blower on his infant son as a “prank.” Justice System: Florida’s Second DCA unveiled a new courthouse mural celebrating the day-to-day work of the administration of justice. Elections: Early voting begins this week in several Northeast Florida counties ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Space & Science: South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter will film a planned impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket piece on the moon. Environment & Health: Florida officials reported ongoing concerns about water supply and quality as demand rises, alongside continued monitoring of invasive pests and disease trends. Sports & Community: Eastern Florida State College’s women’s golf team set its fall schedule, and a Central Florida Little League team advanced after winning a state title.

Public Safety: A Belleview dad, James Westervelt, faces first-degree murder charges after his 6-month-old son died in 2024 following an alleged leaf blower attack; he told police he thought it would be “fun.” Courts & Civil Rights: A Florida English professor is suing South Florida State College, claiming she was fired after a president objected to her assigning an award-winning short story. Invasive Species: Florida biologists used Burmese python mating behavior to remove a record 8,080 pounds of invasive snakes in six months, and researchers are radio-tagging pythons to find nests with up to 111 eggs. Health Watch: Florida reported 17 leprosy cases so far in 2026, continuing a sharp rise since 2022. Environment & Agriculture: Southwest Florida officials are asking residents to watch for the giant African land snail after a new sighting, warning of rapid spread and quarantine risks. Local Life: Central Florida’s housing market shows 1,306 active price-reduced listings, with 53.37% past 60 days. Space Coast: Rep. Byron Donalds unveiled “Florida’s Space Race” to bring NASA headquarters to Brevard County. Crime: Sarasota police arrested a man accused of throwing a brick through a Chabad synagogue window, charging it as a hate crime.

Manufacturing Boom: Bauducco is investing $200M in a new Zephyrhills facility, adding 600+ jobs and doubling production to bring more Italian baked goods to Florida shelves. Solar Policy: After the federal tax credit ended, Florida is still surging on residential rooftop solar thanks to faster, cheaper state permitting rules. Election Integrity: Florida AG James Uthmeier says a Canadian citizen was charged for allegedly voting illegally seven times using a federal immigration-status database. Public Safety—Child Abuse Case: A Marion County man faces first-degree murder charges after police say he used a leaf blower on his infant son, who later died. Wildlife & Environment: More than 20 rehabilitated manatees are returning to Florida waters, and scrub-jay conservation efforts at Wingate Creek State Park have reached 56 breeding pairs. Housing Watch: A new state report flags 2,500+ Florida condo/co-op buildings with substantial structural deterioration, with only five evacuated. Crime & Courts: A Florida postal worker was arrested for allegedly stealing and cashing a winning lottery ticket. Education & Health: The state AG is pressing Catholic schools on vaccine exemptions, while a Tampa group launches a “whole-child” mental health initiative ahead of new guidance.

Youth Sports Growth: Estero’s Summer Showdown girls flag football tournament has surged from 3 teams to 24 in three years, spotlighting Lee County coaches pushing more fair opportunities for girls. Weather & Safety: Central Florida faces heavy rain through Wednesday, with some spots seeing 6 to 8 inches, while South Florida starts August with heat advisories and heat index values around 105–110. Public Health: Florida recorded its first 2026 death from Vibrio vulnificus, as cases continue to climb with warming coastal waters. Crime & Courts: A USPS worker was arrested for allegedly stealing and redeeming a winning Florida Lottery ticket; in another case, a Florida man was charged after stealing trading cards worth about $17,000 at Fanatics Fest. Housing & Real Estate: A $42M beachfront mansion sold on “Millionaires’ Mile,” while Clearwater’s famed “Holdout House” finally changed hands—raising questions about what comes next. Politics & Education: Florida AG James Uthmeier urged Catholic schools to grant vaccine exemptions or risk scholarship eligibility.

College Sports: A Colorado judge ordered the NCAA to treat all athletes from the high school Class of 2022 as eligible for the 2026-27 season, clearing the way for Florida’s Denzel Aberdeen to play his fifth year while the transfer portal reopens. Public Safety: FDLE arrested a Virginia woman accused of making threats to Florida officials, with letters traced to her through forensics. State Economy: Florida Lottery sales hit $9.7 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, up 6.35%, with scratch-offs driving most growth. Roads & Weather: A Tampa woman was arrested after allegedly fleeing a crash that killed an 82-year-old pedestrian; meanwhile, South Florida storms snapped drawbridge traffic arms and brought heavy rain. Health & Education: BayCare rolled out a robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy in West Central Florida; a new report says only 44% of Florida children are ready for kindergarten. Politics & Policy: Florida AG Uthmeier warned Gainesville police to change its gender-identity search policy or face legal action.

Public Health: Florida confirmed its first 2026 death from Vibrio vulnificus (“flesh-eating” bacteria) in Palm Beach County, with 12 statewide infections already reported this year and officials urging caution around warm coastal waters and raw shellfish. Environment & Safety: Lee County is installing a new weather radar to fill low-level coverage gaps across Southwest Florida, aiming to improve warnings for tornadoes, wind gusts and flash flooding. Technology & Privacy: Google is seeking permission to release 32 million Wolbachia-treated mosquitoes in Florida, while a separate national backlash continues as people vandalize Flock surveillance cameras. Wildlife: Florida’s annual Python Challenge is leaning on tech like solar-powered robot rabbit decoys to lure invasive pythons out of hiding. Crime & Courts: A Monroe County case tied to a Florida burglary ended with a stolen vehicle found via FLOCK cameras; meanwhile, a judge kept a Republican Florida governor candidate on the GOP primary ballot. Business & Community: Polk State and Florida Poly expanded a transfer pathway into 10 STEM bachelor’s programs, and Florida’s Margaritaville license plate won a national design award.

Education & Testing: A USA Today report says struggling Florida students are using the conservative Classic Learning Test to graduate, with critics arguing the math can be gamed by focusing on easier questions. Higher Ed & Free Speech: An English professor fired by South Florida State College for assigning a “political” story is suing, saying the assignment was handled improperly. Public Health: Florida’s cyclosporiasis outbreak keeps climbing, with 97 new cases in a week bringing the total to 254 since May 1. Housing: A class action alleges LGI Homes and loanDepot misled renters into mortgages they couldn’t afford, filed in federal court in the Middle District of Florida. Environment & Wildlife: Two loggerhead sea turtles hit by boat strikes—“Paddles” and “Swim Shady”—have been released after recovery. Insurance: Florida regulators report home insurance premiums falling in 51 counties this year. Politics: Florida AG James Uthmeier is launching a state investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci after his Senate hearing. Courts & Local Governance: A judge heard a challenge to ballot language for Amendment 3, with no decision timeline yet.